Teledyne Technologies Inc. said Friday that a subsidiary was awarded a contract to develop electronic devices and circuits for the Defense Department.

Teledyne Scientific & Imaging will develop transistor technology, circuit design and circuit packaging for technology that operates at frequencies greater than one terahertz. Terahertz radiation, which can penetrate fabrics and plastics, can be used in surveillance and security screening, although the Thousand Oaks-based Teledyne’s announcement did not specify the desired applications for its research.

The company said that the contract is valued at $8.3 million over 24 months. If all contract phases proceed, the total value would be $18.8 million through 2014.

Teledyne shares closed up 6 percent to $37.11 on the New York Stock Exchange